Those found to have filed fraudulent claims must pay restitution, fines and receive a penalty that can include community service and jail time.

The funds will be returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, from which TWC pays unemployment benefits to those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

In Dallas County, 21 individuals were prosecuted for state Unemployment Insurance fraud in 2010 while one person each from Navarro, Denton and Ellis counties were prosecuted. Those prosecuted were ordered to pay a total of $119,513 in restitution and nearly $30,000 in fines.

The TWU refers cases where fraud or deception were used to garner benefits to the District Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.

"Preserving our employer-paid Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund for those who are legitimately due its benefits is a task we take very seriously," said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken. "These efforts to prosecute those who cheat the system have resulted in millions being returned to the fund."